Adobe moves all the CS applications (Photoshop, Illustrator, Indesign ...) on its membership based Creative Cloud.
Adobe has published an open letter explaining the future of the Creative Suit

Creative Cloud and the future of the creative process.To our creative users,

At Adobe, we believe our customers are some of the most influential people in the world. You are storytellers. You capture and relate the human experience — be it through a Hollywood blockbuster, an interactive iPad app, or photos from your child’s school play. For decades, building the tools that shape those stories and the world around us has been our passion. . . . read more

Canon's new flagship DSLR for beginners uses the same "old" 18mp CMOS sensor with no significant improvements over it's predecessor.

"The 700D isn’t a significant improvement over its predecessor the 650D and with almost identical specifications and sensor scores they are effectively the same camera. Our Sensor Score analysis of APS-C DSLRs shows that while Nikon and Sony are making steady improvements the same can’t be said for Canon with none of their APS-C sensors breaking through the 70 points barrier."

"Canon's EOS Rebel SL1 / 100D is a very interesting DSLR which takes-on the rise of mirror-less models with its compact and lightweight body. At the time of writing, this was the World's smallest DSLR with an APS-C sensor, shaving a comfortable centimeter in every dimension from Canon's previous smallest models to produce a camera that's roughly the same size as mirror-less models equipped with viewfinders, like the Panasonic G6.

It's obviously a very small body in DSLR terms, but rarely felt cramped or . . . read more

The new firmware enables HDMI output functionality, ideal for professional videographers, as well as improved AF performance for photographers shooting with telephoto lenses.

Following feedback from cinema and TV production professionals, the new firmware includes ‘clean’ HDMI output, enhancing overall video editing and monitoring procedures. Videographers will be able to output high-definition uncompressed video data (YCbCr 4:2:2, 8 bit) without any embedded icons or symbols, from the EOS 5D Mark III to an external recorder using the camera’s HDMI terminal. The new functionality will enable easier editing of data with minimal image degradation for greater on-site workflow efficiency during production, as well as the option to record to the internal memory card at the same time.

"The X20 is generally a very responsive camera. The startup time can be as little as 0.5 seconds, allowing you to capture any moment that appears. The X20's new Hybrid AF system - which builds phase detection right on the CMOS sensor - is noticeably faster than the X10's contrast detect-only system, and among the best in its class. Shot-to-shot delays are reasonable, and the X20's burst mode allows you to shoot at full resolution at speeds exceeding 9 fps. It can take over twenty seconds for the camera to flush the buffer after a burst of Raw images, though. The two main performance issues that bothered us were . . . read more

"The Nikon AF-S 80-400/4.5-5.6G VR delivers very good optical performance throughout the zoom-range. But with a price at the time of writing of 2600 EUR (incl. 19% VAT) you would expect as much. This resolving-power makes the lens the best performer up to its price point. Combined with effective image stabilization up to 200mm, fast and reliable AF, and a maximum magnification of 1:5.1 in a package that is small and light enough to be carried around all day this is the answer many have been waiting for since Nikon released the predecessor some 13 years ago.

To make it perfectly clear: This lens has clearly better optical performance and better image stabilization than its predecessor or the Sigma 120-400 or the Nikon AF-S 70-200/2.8G VR II when coupled with the TC-20E III. Especially compared to its predecessor which can currently be had for half the price the new zoom is much sharper especially at the long end, has a much faster AF.

"The D7100 delivers outstanding image quality and detail rendition at low ISOs in both JPEG and Raw mode. Noise does start to become visible at the pixel level even at moderate ISO sensitivities, but is kept well under control given the pixel density of its 24MP APS-C sensor. While not a surprise, it is worth pointing out that if you're after the very best that this sensor can deliver, you'll not be well-served by the 18-105mm kit zoom. In both our studio and real-world shooting, we've found noticeably better results with Nikon's high-end primes and fast zoom lenses.

While the camera's video specs are impressive, its video output is a bit softer than we'd like. If you want to record at 1080 50i or 60i, keep in mind that this is only possible after you've set the camera to its 1.3x crop mode. Unfortunately, using this crop mode results in output that is upsampled to 1920 x 1080, making this mode of little use for even amateur videographers.

The Nikon D7100 rounds out Nikon's recently revamped lineup of enthusiast-targeted DSLRs. It may sit below the full frame D800 and D600 in price, but . . . read more

April 24, 2013: Panasonic is proud to announce a new addition of Digital Single Lens Mirrorless DMC-G6 that realizes real-to-life photo and video recording even in higher quality. The Digital Live MOS Sensor achieves high-resolution, high sensitivity image recording. The new Venus Engine is attains high-performance signal processing with the advanced noise reduction system. Combined with the high sensor performance, DMC-G6 minimizes noise and even achieves shooting at max. ISO 25600(Extended) high sensitivity image recording.

The DMC-G6 boasts quick response featuring high speed burst shooting at 7 fps in full resolution. Getting ready to shoot in only 0.5 sec*1 after start-up, the DMC-G6 never misses fleeting shooting opportunities together with its high speed, high precision Light Speed AF. Newly integrated Low Light AF enables accurate focusing on the target subject even in low-lit situations. . . . read more

The X20 also makes for a nice B&W only camera if you shoot it in B&W mode because I find the color images a little lackluster once you get past ISO 640 if you are not in the perfect light. While it is nowhere near as versatile as the Leica MM in ISO, smoothness or lens capabilities it can create some nice B&W images on the cheap.

Now I am in no way saying the Fuji X20 can replace a Leica Monochrom, because it can not. But it can be fun to head out with it with the mindset of shooting only in B&W. While gorgeous color can come from the X20, it can do B&W equally as well. With a 28mm to 112mm lens on board you also have some versatility although I admit I prefer just shooting it at 28mm and f/2 when I can. When the X20 is slung around you many will think you are shooting an old film camera, and you can go out with that mindset and if you do I suggest turning off the LCD and just using the OVF. Set it to B&W JPEG mode and fire away."

Please note that Rico Pfirstinger test a pre-production model of the newly announced telephoto zoom lens.

"If you already know Fuji’s 18-55mm kit zoom lens, the new telephoto zoom will immediately feel familiar. It’s obvious that Fujifilm wants you to buy this zoom as an extension to your already existing standard zoom. Both lenses offer the same key features: a manual focus ring, an aperture ring without engravings, a zoom ring, an optical image stabilizer (OIS) and fast/silent linear autofocus motors. Everything is located in the same place: There’s one switch to turn the OIS on and off, and there’s another one to toggle the lens between automatic and manual aperture settings. Design, build quality and used materials appear to be quite similar, as well."

While most of the previews are based on pre-production models, a small Korean web page posted several sample images taken with the new lens, mounted on both APS-C size cameras and Full frame (Canon EOS 600D and EOS 5D Mk II)

DPreview hands on"Overall though the 18-35mm F1.8 is certainly an intriguing product, and we applaud Sigma for pushing the boundaries of lens design ahead of the more conservative camera manufacturers. It's a lens we think is worth investigating in more detail, and we'll be reviewing it just a soon as we can lay our hands on a shootable copy. Until then you can read more about the lens's design and operation on the next page of our preview."

PhotographyBlog hands on "We’ve been lucky enough to have some hands-on time with the new Sigma 18-35mm F1.8 DC HSM ahead of it launch. . . . read more

"There's an awful lot to like about the Nikon 1 S1's photos, too, though it’s not without its faults.
The Auto White Balance system consistently renders colours correctly with a noticeable absence of any particular colour cast. If anything, colours are a tad subdued – if you have the skill it’s worth boosting them when editing afterwards. The S1's exposure system is also generally reliable, with metering only exhibiting the slight tendency to underexpose.
One area where the Nikon 1 S1, somewhat predictably, suffers, is noise control at high ISO settings. Owing to the smaller sensor employed in the S1 in comparison to other similar CSCs, noise is problematic even at lower ISO settings. Although the camera managed to maintain a certain amount of detail at these higher settings, the necessary noise reduction results in some detail lost and sharpness loss."

Press release: RONKONKOMA, NY, Apr. 18, 2013 — Sigma Corporation of America (www.sigmaphoto.com), a leading researcher, developer, manufacturer and service provider for some of the world's most impressive lines oflenses, cameras and flashes, today announced the Sigma 18-35mm F1.8 DC HSM Art lens, the market’s first zoom lens to achieve a maximum aperture F1.8 throughout the entire zoom range.

This revolutionary, wide aperture, standard zoom lens is created for DSLR cameras with APS-C size sensors, which translates to a focal range of 27-52.5mm on a 35mm camera. With a minimum focusing distance of 11 inches, and a maximum magnification ratio of 1:4.3, the 18-35mm is ideal for landscapes, portraits, still-life, studio, close-up and casual photography. . . . read more

FUJIFILM Corporation (President: Shigehiro Nakajima) is issuing an updated version of the roadmap for FUJIFILM X-mount lenses for its FUJIFILM X-Pro1 and FUJIFILM X-E1 compact system cameras. This is further to the last XF lens roadmap issued in June 2012.

In response to the large amount of feedback and many requests from users regarding its interchangeable lenses, Fujifilm aims to further improve the quality and has carried out a review of the lens design and has added new technology.

When you combine the below 10 XF Lenses with the three X-Mount Lenses that Carl Zeiss announced in September 2012*, there will soon be 13 high-performance lenses available for the X-Mount system which should meet the needs of every photographer and will support a wider range of photography from ultra-wide-angle at 15mm** to super-telephoto at 305mm**. . . . read more

The new telephoto zoom lens will feature a linear motor for high-speed AF performance and up to 4.5 stops image stabilization.

Fujifilm Press Release:

Launch of the first telephoto zoom for the XF Lens series: FUJINON XF55-200mmF3.5-4.8 R LM OIS

Fast aperture of F3.5-4.8 across the entire zoom range and outstanding image stabilisation

FUJIFILM Corporation (President: Shigehiro Nakajima) is proud to announce the launch of the new “FUJINON XF55-200mmF3.5-4.8 R LM OIS” lens for the FUJIFILM X-Pro1 and X-E1 compact system cameras.

FUJINON XF lenses feature advanced lens engineering, capable of drawing the maximum performance out of the highly-descriptive “X-Trans CMOS Sensor” in the FUJIFILM X-Pro1 and X-E1 cameras. The new FUJINON XF55-200mm lens produces sharp images across its entire zoom range, well resolved corner-to-corner. The fast F3.5-4.8 lens facilitates image capture in scenes requiring a fast shutter speed. Its image stabilisation function enables the use of shutter speeds 4.5 stops slower, preventing camera shake even when shooting hand-held in low-light, or at a stopped down aperture. Furthermore, it is built to include two linear motors for high-speed AF of 0.28 seconds*1, instantaneously focusing on your subject. . . . read more

"One key new feature in the X100s—and a worldwide first—is the Digital Split Image (DSI) manual focusing assistant, which makes clever use of Fuji's phase-detection AF system integrated into the new X-Trans CMOS II sensor. The DSI mode is effectively a kind of digital stigmometer that splits an out-of-focus image in two. As you focus the lens manually, the images look to blend together until they form one when you find the right focus position.

From a technical point of view, the DSI function is a very clever use of the AF system. In fact, it's hard to image how no-one has thought of doing this before. In reality, though, it's a little less exciting. This function definitely makes manual focusing easier, but it can be hard to see exactly when you've found the right focus, as the split image just doesn't look sharp or precise enough onscreen. A touch of peaking over the top could have made a nice addition here (note that a separate peaking mode is available). Plus, seeing as the lens uses an electronic rather than a mechanical focusing system, the whole experience could generally be more pleasant and more accurate. The DSI mode is therefore best left as an occasional helping hand in complex situations that the autofocus may have trouble dealing with (shooting in conditions that are too bright, working with uniform subjects, etc.). All in all, it's an impressively innovative function, but it feels like it still needs a little polishing.

"Perhaps understandably, a lot of the attention it has received since its launch has focused on its absent optical low-pass filter, with inflated expectations of a resultant boost in sharpness and definition. It now looks like any resulting increase in quality over the company's other 24 Megapixel DX bodies is at best, marginal, and many will no doubt be disappointed by that. But don't lose sight of the fact that OLPF or not, the D7100's sensor produces superb quality 24 Megapixel images; it's just that they're really close to what the cheaper D5200 delivers.

Where it matters to advanced enthusiast and semi-pro users though, the D7100 delivers, with enhancements to build quality and handling, more capable AF and improved continuous shooting, deeper bracketing, a bigger screen and new shooting modes including HDR and effects filters. There's also something to tempt videographers, with new movie modes, built-in stero mics and a headphone socket.

"Though I had expected a larger leap in image quality over the GH2, the GH3 is by far the better all-round camera. The image is much cleaner when shooting high contrast scenes with a lot of shade and it's better in low light. While it no longer offers the slightly wider 1.86x crop sensor of the GH2 or such bullet-proof performance in terms of moiré & aliasing, it extends the already attractive feature set to new levels. 1080/60p gives you the creative freedom of smooth slow-motion at the highest resolution. 72Mbit ALL-I and 1080/60p in the same camera are missing from the $15,000 Canon EOS C300, let alone the GH3's full-frame DSLR rivals.

For me, yes, the new 'Advanced Healing Brush' and the Horizon leveling thingie do the trick nicelly. From the Adobe Photoshop Blog:

"We’ve been working hard on the next version of Lightroom, and now we’re giving our customers a chance to try out some of the new technology available with the release of Lightroom 5 beta. Since the initial Lightroom public beta release in 2006, we’ve learned a tremendous amount through a collaborative dialogue with our customers, and I’m excited to continue that collaboration to receive feedback on the Lightroom 5 beta.. . . read more

Even though this les was released back in the 2007, the DxO answers the big question: How does this lens perform on demanding high-resolution bodies, such as the 36-MPix Nikon D800? The resolution of this lens is impressive, but the huge front element prohibits the usage of filters and it is very prone to flare. . . . read more

So, how was Panasonic's latest micro 4/3 camera entry received by the media? Pretty positively actually. We've selected some quotes:

Shawn Low from Cnet.Asia writes: "Although the GF6 is thicker and has a boxier build, we found the camera's front grip and substantial thumbrest provides a more secure grip and better ergonomics than its predecessor."

Richard Butler at DPReview: "But, while it gains features that will appeal both to the point-and-shoot and the take-control crowd, the GF6's trump card is Wi-Fi. Or, more specifically, the best implementation of Wi-Fi to hit the market so far.". . . read more

No new features added, only some Date / Time configuration problems are addressed.

Firmware Version 1.1.3 incorporates the following fix. - Fixes a phenomenon in which the Date/Time/Zone settings screen appears on the LCD display, after the user has already configured these settings. The values for the Date/Time settings may reset if the backup functions which retain those values do not perform properly.. . . read more

The Panasonic GF6 is a new 16-megapixelcompact system camera with a 180° tilting touchscreen, built-in Wi-Fi and Near Field Communication (NFC) that allows setup of Wi-Fi connections with compatible smartphones and tablets, simply by tapping the devices together. The included WiFi app can also remotely control the camera and the updated 1040k-dot rear screen that can tilt and flip 180 degrees for self-portraits. Other highlights include the new mode dial from it's GF5, movie recording at 1080p30 in either MP4 or AVCHD format, ISO sensitivity up to 25600 and built in flash.

April 9, 2013: Panasonic is proud to introduce a new Digital Single Lens Mirrorless Camera DMC-GF6 from the stylish, most compact GF series of LUMIX G. The new 16.00–megapixel Live MOS Sensor achieves high-resolution, high sensitivity image recording. The Venus Engine is also newly developed for DMC-GF6 to attain high-performance signal processing and the advanced noise reduction system minimizes noise and even achieves shooting at max. ISO25600 (Extended) high sensitivity taking best advantage of the new sensor. . . . read more

To be precise, it is the camera used by Mr. Stallone in the 'Expendables II' flick. From the auction's description:

"This is really a brand new camera it was used in Expendables II by Sylvester Stallone (Barney Ross) once and returned to the prop master right away. There are no scratches perfect condition. It comes with a Leica m 35 mm f/2.5 Summarit35mm Film Digital Rangefinder Lens with lens cap .

Also included are a camera strap, a battery charger an auto charger a wall charger cord a USB cord and a carry bag. Included are both manuals including the one signed by my brother. As an extra bonus i'm including the DVD of Expendables II. Where you will see this camera taking pictures of Jet Lee and Jason Statham. This is 100% original and will come with letter from me Frank Stallone on my letterhead. . . . read more

Rico's article also includes the handling of the Metabones Speed Booster adapter on a Fujifilm camera:

"The X-Pro1 is not a rangefinder camera. It’s a pure-bred autofocus camera and as such—despite its hybrid viewfinder—it is only marginally equipped to work in combination with manual focus lenses. Currently, the only tool that the X-Pro1 and X-E1 feature to assist with manual focusing is a magnified digital viewfinder. The camera also offers some kind of focus peaking when you magnify the viewfinder image: It will enhance contrasty edges, indicating that they are in-focus.

Unfortunately, there are a few further aspects that render the X-Pro1 and X-E1 not yet perfectly equipped for working with third-party lenses: When a lens is attached to the X-Pro1 via an adapter, Auto-ISO operates with a minimum shutter speed of 1/30 second—independently of the actual focal length that was set in the adapter menu. 1/30s may be too fast for many wide-angle lenses and too slow for most standard and telephoto lenses. The cameras also set the . . . read more

This preview was not supposed to go official yet, but some admin at the Tech Radar was apparently too trigger happy. The pages have now been withdrawn, but not before they ended up in the Google cache.

The New and Exciting:

NFC chip, it allows cameras to exchange images and videos by touching each other (sounds kinky, huh?)

Built-in Wi-Fi

Manual Video controls

180° flipping rear touch LCD monitor. It is also a bit more responsive than its predecessors.

An extra dial makes the camera easier to handle compared to its predecessors. No more constantly diving into the menus.

New Venus engine will (supposedly) make for faster and better performance, in both video and still image capturing.

More digital effect filters, brings the total count to 19. Anyone up for some 'Bleach Bypass"?

The Bad:

No hotshoe for external flashes

Same "old" 16mp sensor as the one used in the GX1.

The GF6 is a bit chunkier than the GF5, although this can be a plus for some users.

"Like the Nikon D3200 and D5200, the D7100 has a 24MP sensor, but Nikon has left off the low-pass filter.

Low-pass or anti-aliasing filters are usually put over a camera’s sensor to reduce the risk of moiré interference occurring when photographing subjects with fine patterning that is close to the camera’s resolution limit. The downside of using them is that the image is softened and needs sharpening post capture.

So does omitting the filter from the sensor make any difference to the images? Our tests indicate that it does. At the lower sensitivity settings the D7100 can’t resolve any more detail than the D3200 or D5200, but the images look a little sharper straight from the camera."

"Nikon, one of photography’s most respected names, faces a backlash from within the industry for portraying itself as a friend of wildlife photography while making sights for rifles for big game trophy hunters in the US and Africa.

The Japanese camera manufacturer makes a rifle scope designed specifically for killing large game, the £170 “Monarch African”.

Nikon’s marketing literature boasts that the scope is perfect “for those seeking their dangerous game adventure on the dark continent” and is “the proven choice for dangerous big game hunting”, adding: “Africa has long been a continent of dreams for hunters around the world.”"

Fujifilm's X-Trans sensor has an originally developed color filter array with a highly random pixel arrangement. It eliminates the need for an optical low-pass filter, which is used in conventional systems to inhibit moiré at the expense of resolution. The X-Trans sensor produces very sharp and noise free images but there was no "proper" RAW file support by the major program manufacturers. A year after the release of the first X-Trans sensor camera, the Fujifilm X-Pro1, Adobe corrects the demosaic algorithms of Lightroom and adds full support for the X-Trans sensor cameras.

The new update extends the support to the latest cameras and lens profiles, as well as several bug fixes. In detail:

Lightroom 4.4 is now available as a final release on Adobe.com and through the update mechanism in Lightroom 4. The goal of this release is to provide additional camera raw support, lens profile support and address bugs that were introduced in previous releases of Lightroom.

Changes to Existing Camera Support:

Lightroom 4.4 includes a correction to the demosaic algorithms for Fujifilm cameras with the X-Trans sensor. This specifically impacts the following cameras: